Free Rulla bead bangle pattern

Have you gotten on the two-hole bead bandwagon yet? We got a bunch of Rullas a while back, and a recent conversation got me thinking about what to do with them. After futzing around for a bit, I realized they could nestle together, kind of like Lincoln Logs, to make a cool pattern. I made a few bangles and wanted to share the instructions with you. These bracelets take only about 45 minutes to make, so whip up several and stack 'em up on your wrist!

The instructions are for a multicolored bracelet. I have a wide hand, so my bangle may be larger that what you would need.

Materials

makes a 3-in. (8.9 cm) diameter bangle

• 3 x 5 mm Rulla beads

64 color A

32 color B

32 color C

• 32 15/0 seed beads

• Fireline 8 lb. test

• beading needles, #11 or #12

Stepbystep

1. On 2 yd. (1.8 m) of thread, pick up a repeating pattern of a color A Rulla, a color B Rulla, an A, and a color C Rulla 16 times. To make your bracelet smaller or larger, adjust this initial bead count now. Each set of four beads will alter the finished size by about 1/2 in. (1.3 cm). Leaving a 6-in. (15 cm) tail, tie the beads into a ring with a square knot (Online Beading Basics). Sew through the first A, and then sew back through the other hole of the A.

2. Pick up a C, and sew through the next A. Adjust the two adjacent Cs so they are side by side and the available hole of each is pointing up.

3. Pick up a B, and sew through the next A. Adjust the beads as in the previous stitch.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to complete the round, and sew through the first C added in this round.

5. Sew back through the available hole of the C.

6. Pick up an A, and sew through the next B. Adjust the new A so it is aligned just like the A from the first round.

7. Pick up an A and a 15/0 seed bead, and sew through the next C.

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to complete the round, and sew through the first A added in this round. Sew back through the available hole of this new A.

9. Sew through the next vertical Rulla. Pick up a 15/0, and sew through the available hole of the following four beads. Repeat this stitch to complete the round, and end the threads (Online Basics).

A reader asked if this bangle could be made as a bracelet with a clasp and yes, of course it could! Here's what you could do to adapt it.

1. Attach a stop bead to 2 yd. (1.8 m) of thread, and pick up Rullas as for the bangle. You won't need as many, though, because it doesn't have to be large enough to go around your hand. I needed only 56 (instead of 64 for the bangle). Instead of sewing the beads into a ring, sew bck through the remaining hole of the last Rulla. Go through both holes once more for better tension.

2. Work across the row as for the bangle.

3. When you reach the end, sew through the adjacent Rulla, through the last Rulla added, and then sew through the remaining hole of this Rulla to go back in the other direction.

4. Work back across the beadwork, adding a Rulla in the same color as in the row below, just like in the bangle. In every other stitch, you'll add a 15/0 after th Rulla.

5. Sew through the adjacent Rulla, and work back the other direction, adding in a 15/0 in the appropriate spots.

6. To attach a clasp at the end, pick up five 15/0s and the loop of the clasp, cross diagonally over the end two beads, and sew through the opposite bead hole.

7. Sew up through the adjacent Rulla, pick up two 15/0s, and sew through the middle 15/0 of the previous set of five and the loop of the clasp. Pick up two 15/0s, and sew through the opposite bead hole.

Retrace the thread path a few times, and end the thread. At the other end, remove the stop bead, and add the other half of the clasp.